Today, we feature one of my favorites from the Great American Songbook – All of Me. Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons wrote the “All of Me” words and music in 1931.
One source said, “The melody […] combines the contradictory possibilities of the song. The downward thrusts of the opening phrases hint at emotional despair while the closing line, with its repeated high notes, seems almost jubilant.”
“All of Me” first came to public awareness when a performance by Belle Baker was broadcast over the radio in 1931. Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra recorded the song on December 1 that year, with vocalist Mildred Bailey; this went to the top of the US pop charts.Within weeks, another two versions were in the charts, with a Louis Armstrong rendition also reaching No. 1. Some folks say the definitive version was sung by Billie Holiday in 1941: “she staked a claim of ownership that no one has managed to dislodge in subsequent years”
Frank Sinatra recorded several versions of “All of Me”. His 1948 release peaked at No. 21. He also sang it in the film Meet Danny Wilson. Willie Nelson’s recording of the song was included in his classic Stardust album and reached No. 3 on the Hot Country Singles chart in 1978. It can currently be heard on various TV commercials for Heinz Ketchup.
Source: Wiki
Here’s Billie Holiday
And Willie Nelson
Paul Whiteman’s version
Here’s Satchmo!
The great Ella Fitzgerald
One of frank’s early recordings
Michael Buble’ did a nice cover
The angelic voice of Sarah Vaughn!
The song was so popular, Scatman Crothers and Redd Foxx sang it on Sanford and Son!
